'Apology' apps for BlackBerry customers

Apology: BlackBerry users will benefit from free apps after service was disrupted

Millions of people whose BlackBerry smartphones were hit by service problems for more than three days will be offered free apps worth at least £63, the company behind the phones said today.

Research in Motion (RIM) has attracted widespread anger after millions of users of the handsets were left unable to access email, surf the web or use the BlackBerry Messenger service.

The problems began last Monday and services were finally fully restored only on Thursday. RIM announced that a selection of premium apps will be offered to subscribers as "an expression of appreciation for their patience" during the disruptions.

The apps will be made available on the BlackBerry App World from Wednesday until December 31.Co-chief executive Mike Lazaridis said: "Our global network supports the communications needs of more than 70 million customers.

"We truly appreciate and value our relationship with our customers. We've worked hard to earn their trust over the past 12 years, and we're committed to providing the high standard of reliability they expect, today and in the future."